MPs are told Argentina lacks the military might it had when the islands were invaded in 1982.

IT is highly unlikely Argentina will attempt to invade the Falkland Islands, defence minister Andrew Robathan said today.

He said the Argentinian military was not the same power as it was under General Leopoldo Galtieri, when the Falklands were invaded in 1982.

The UK government retains the ability to increase its military presence on the islands ahead of next month's referendum on whether they should remain under British rule.

There are currently four typhoon aircraft, a company of troops and a guard ship, in the region.

Robathan added: "There are also submarines capable of defending the islands." But he would not comment on their exact whereabouts.

The defence minister went on: "We all very much hope, and indeed expect, that the referendum will enforce the relationship between Britain and the Falkland Islands.

"I think it is highly unlikely that the Argentinians will invade the Falkland Islands, not least because there is a clause in their constitution I understand which specifically excludes invading the Falkland Islands by force.

"Since the days of General Galtieri there is a very definite separation between the civilian government and the armed forces and certainly it does not appear that their armed forces are well equipped at the moment."

Tory MP Colonel Bob Stewart, a former UN commander in Bosnia, said the Argentinians would be "pretty incapable" of invading the Falklands.

He added: "Their submarines have only been underwater for six hours each this year and with most of their aircraft, their ground crew lack the spares and lack the training."